What are shaping procedures in ABA? [RBT]
Shaping is a process of teaching a new behavior by gradually reinforcing successive approximations toward the target behavior. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), shaping is often used when an individual is unable to perform a desired behavior or skill. Shaping is a powerful tool for modifying behavior, and it can be used in a variety of contexts, from teaching simple behaviors to complex skills.
The shaping procedure involves reinforcing behaviors that are progressively closer to the target behavior. For example, if the target behavior is for a child to say "daddy," the shaping procedure might involve reinforcing any vocalization that sounds like "da" and then gradually increasing the required similarity to "daddy" until the target behavior is achieved. Each time a new approximation is reinforced, the reinforcement criterion is adjusted to require a closer match to the target behavior.
Here are three examples of shaping procedures in ABA:
Teaching Self-Feeding: Shaping can be used to teach self-feeding to a child who is unable to feed themselves. The shaping procedure might begin by reinforcing any movements toward the mouth with a spoon, then gradually increasing the required accuracy and coordination of the spoon movements until the child can feed themselves independently.
Increasing Communication Skills: Shaping can also be used to increase a child's communication skills. If a child is nonverbal or has limited language skills, the shaping procedure might involve reinforcing any vocalizations or gestures that approximate the target communication behavior, such as pointing to an object or making a sound in response to a question. As the child becomes more proficient, the reinforcement criterion is gradually increased to require more accurate and complex communication behaviors.
Teaching Complex Behaviors: Shaping can also be used to teach complex behaviors, such as playing a musical instrument or performing a dance routine. The shaping procedure might involve reinforcing any approximation of the behavior, such as playing a single note on a piano or taking a single step in the dance routine, and then gradually increasing the required accuracy and complexity of the behavior until the entire behavior is performed correctly.
In conclusion, shaping is a powerful tool for teaching new behaviors and modifying existing behaviors. The shaping procedure involves reinforcing successive approximations toward the target behavior, gradually increasing the required accuracy and complexity of the behavior over time. Shaping can be used in a variety of contexts, from teaching simple behaviors to complex skills, and it is an essential technique in the field of ABA. Shaping is not the same as punishment, modeling, or task analysis, as these techniques involve different approaches to modifying behavior.